Lancaster NX611, Lancaster with RAAF Sabre Escorts

Hi,

I have just started scanning my large RAAF photo collection.

I'm hoping to share them here for all to enjoy and look for some help identifying the aircraft types, etc.

Comments welcome....

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I would say definetly a Lancaster, probably French Navy, and of course Sabre jets...

Hi and many thanks for the post.

Welcome to the ADF-Serials message board.

Please keep the posts rolling.

Now my guess is that this is Lancaster B Mk VII G-ASXX WU-15 (NX611) "Spirit of Surfers Paradise" as she was ferried from Australia to the UK having been gifted from the Aeronvale to the Historic Aircraft Preservation Society (HAPS). I know that she had a Sabre escort either into or out of Butterworth on the flight in I think in April 1965.

I have an entire book on the subject somewhere - but do you think I can find it?

NX611 (known as Just Jane) is preserved today in taxiable condition by the Panton Brothers at the former RAF East Kirby in the UK.

This is all assuming that I have correctly identified the Lanc in the photo!

Cheers

BC

I see the Sabres all have their speed brakes out, must have been having trouble keeping in formation.
Rod.

Well spotted Rod.

I believe that she was also escorted by a pair of Canberra on the same flight.

Here is a another shot of her (still on the assumption that I have correctly identified our Lanc).





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And from the other side.....



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The latest I have is that the airplane is being surveyed with a view to putting it into the air.

Regards

Col

Quite right Col,

She is in excellent condition and has been maintained in a basically airworthy standard for many years.

One of the requirements to get her airworthy is to add some length back on to the runway at East Kirby!

The other is the paperwork. You know how the saying goes, when the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the airframe and engines, you can take off!

Here's a more recent shot of Just Jane.

Cheers

BC



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This from the Bomber Command Forum




Another Airworthy Lanc Reply Quote

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Official Statement from The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre-

It is fair to say that we have been considering making moves to fly Avro Lancaster NX611 for some years now; in fact it has been the ultimate ambition of Fred and Harold to complete their fabulous contribution to aviation history and the memory of Bomber Command.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio Lincolnshire Fred has confirmed what, I am sure, many people have been thinking for many years.
It has been our ultimate ambition to be able to restore NX611 to an airworthy condition but also keep her accessible for the general public to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere created by a Lancaster. For us to keep NX611 as a credible 'peoples memorial' to Bomber Command available to many people, no matter their background or financial situation (After all those that flew with Bomber Command came from every imaginable background) we must strike a healthy balance between keeping her in a good condition but also allowing the public to experience her.
As stated by Fred the end goal would be to be able to see NX611 take to the skies once more, but it will by no means be a short road to that end.
We are currently building up a large stores and parts stock ready for the possible 'push' for airworthiness.
The moves we are making- sourcing 4 airworthy engines, acquiring parts from all over the world, undertaking feasibility studies, sourcing AP's and the relevant paperwork - are all working towards enabling us to 'push the button' and let the Lanc feel air under her wheels once more.
There is no funding or involvement from Peter Jackson or the Dambusters film.
As with everything that has been done at the Centre and with the Lancaster the project will be self funded- but if anyone would like to feel that they have helped with keeping NX611 operational you are welcome to make donations.
If we get to the stage that NX611 is airworthy it will undoubtedly be called upon to perform in the air show circuit. There is also great interest and support from BBMF and RAF and I am sure that we will work closely together if NX611 ever goes skyward.

Airworthiness is the ambition and we have now confirmed that, but unfortunately there is much 'ground' work to be done before we make that jump. No move will be made until we are happy that we have built up enough parts and solved all the logistic issues.

Everyones support is greatly appreciated. Rest assured that we have the aircrafts best interests first and foremost in our minds. We have not striven for many years to sacrifice our achievements in one fail swoop. NX611 will always remain as a living memorial to Bomber Command; that is the most important duty we perform.

Andrew Panton
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre

Thanks Dave,

It would be great to see her back in the air again.

NX611's survival makes a great a great story as it passed through several owners during it's life before the Panton brothers.

Getting back to the ferry flight in the original photo from Bezforces, there is a great first hand account of the flight from Australia to the UK written by Patrick Kilvington entitled "The last Lanc' " published by Boolarong Publications, in 1982.

It also has an appendix on the fate of each Lancaster built which made it a handy reference too in the days before I owned the appropriate Air Britain publication.

It has to be somewhere in my house, but where?

If I had that, I'm sure we could put a date to the photo in this thread and fill in a bit more of the story.

Does anyone else have a copy of the book?

Perhaps then we can add some info about the Sabres in the photo too - such as which squadron?

Brendan C

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Just to illustrate another phase of this Lancaster's life, here she is in flying trim after arrival in the UK as operated by HAPS in camouflage markings.

Note that her name has changed from "The spirit of Surfers Paradise" to "Guy Gibson" and she wears the fictitious squadron code HA-P to denote her ownership.

BC

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wow, thanks for the info guys... awesome!

As my photo is possibly an offical RAAF photo (as it is taken from above), what are the rules about posting to the web or selling my 'official' copies on ebay? They are all mostly 1960's - 1970's era.

Cheers

Bez

Hi Bez,
Welcome to the website.
We are always looking for photographs for our gallery. We have over 10,000 at present and are always happy to add more.
As far as official RAAF images are concerned we do have permission to add them.
If you wish to add yours you can continue adding them here or upload them to
http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Uploaded
where they will be moved to the aircraft album. Comments can be added if you wish and please leave your name.
Looking forward to seeing your photos.
Regards
Martin Edwards, ADF-serials image co-ordinator

Hi Bez,

You are very welcome to post your photos here.

If they are RAAF official, just mention that in the post.

Cheers

BC

Thanks! Will keep them coming

To all,

The Phantom has sent in the following snippet:

It is indeed of NX611 and shows the Sabre escort from several new angles!

Thanks Phantom

:D

BC

I note the Sabres are from 77Sqn.
Rod

As usual Rod, you're spot on.

Phantom has trawled NAA and come up with the 77 Sqn A.50 from May 1965 which notes the event.

:D

BC



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From the Phantom:

An update on NX611

3rd Lancaster to Fly

Excellent news! Another Lanc in the air,and what a fitting tribute to Chris Panton and Bomber Command.

Here are some more recent photos of NX611 "Just Jane":

http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2013/...ember_230126310

Cheers

BC

Thanks BC, a beautiful aeroplane - such a shame they carried so many young men to their deaths.
Rod

Now I knew that I had a shot somewhere of her being escorted by a RAAF Canberra or two as she stage through Butterworth, but I had forgotten that there was a an RAF Victor in the formation too!

Cheers

BC

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Hi all,

I have recently came into possession of my late Grandfathers (Wing Commander J K McCarthy DFC AFM) memorabilia and negative photo slides from his time with 30 Squadron Beaufighters in PNG and through to his retirement from the RAAF in 1964.

J K McCarthy Navigated NX611 from Sydney to Biggin Hill. One very old and ratty manila folder contains photos, correspondence and even Navigation Flight Plans of the journey.

After cross referencing some of the documentation I managed to find an online archive file containing the full story of how it all came about.

Enjoy

Regards

Bryan

Sentimental Journey

Bryan, I hope that you can scan and upload some of those photos.

Canberra A84-307
Lancaster NX611
Handley Page Victor XH591
Formation from Butterworth
6th May 1965

I took a photo of the long range tank that was used and the Lanc when I visited it earlier on this year.